Orthopedic Exam Flashcards
(29 cards)
When observing a patient, what 4 things do you look at from a distance?
Demeanor
Body and limb position
Body condition
Joint and soft tissue symmetry
What should you do prior to starting a full orthopedic exam?
A general PE
Why do you do a gait analysis?
Because lameness may not be readily apparent
What are 6 things you watch and listen for during a gait analysis?
Lameness
Head bob ("down on the sound")
Shortened stride/limb carriage
Dragging of toes/nail scuffing
Ataxia
WeaknessWhat are 4 activities you might ask for from a dog during gait observation?
Walk
Trot
Stairs
Walk in circles
What is the difference between gait abnormality and lameness?
Lameness is associated with pain
Gait abnormality is associated with anatomical malformations
What are 5 things you would palpate for on a standing exam?
Asymmetry Heat Misalignment Muscle atrophy Joint effusion
When performing your recumbent exam, where do you start?
Distal on the normal limb
What 4 things do you palpate for on the joints during a recumbent exam?
Crepitus
Effusion
Range of motion pain
Instability
What 5 things will you check on the forelimb?
Paw and carpus Antebrachium Elbow Brachium Scapulohumeral joint
What 4 things do you check on the hindlimb?
Digits
Tarsus
Stifle
Hip
What does a cranial drawer sign indicate?
Cranial cruciate tear
What is a tibial thrust?
When you flex up the tarsus, you will feel the tibial tuberosity move forward if you have a complete or partial tear
What is the most common type of coxofemoral luxation?
Craniodorsal luxation
What does an Ortolani sign look for?
In dogs less than 1yoa, feeling to see if you can subluxate the coxofemoral joint (will feel it klunk back into place
NOTE: joint subluxates with the limb adducts and reduces when the limb is abducted
What 2 things are your base diagnostic recommendations based on?
Hx
Exam
What should you tailor your diagnostics to?
The problem
When should you take your RADs?
AFTER the problem area has been identified
What type of views are a necessity?
Orthogonal views
What are 3 special RAD techniques that may be helpful?
Oblique
Stress
Skyline (more in large animal)
What are 4 conditions that RADs are not always diagnostic for?
Musculotenonous disorders
Arthropaties
Patellar luxations
Cruciate ligament rupture
How do you evaluate an arthrocentesis?
Grossly (should be viscous, clear to VERY light straw colour)
Microscopically
+/- Culture
How does nuclear imaging work in the skeleton?
Will accumulate in vascularized tissues aka areas of inflammation
NOTE: Findings are non-specific
What has replaced nuclear imaging?
CT
